Frequently Asked Questions about Connecting to VATSIM
using the FSInn Pilot Client

This document is not to replace the PRC found on
www.vatsim.net/prc , the FSInn Manuals,
FAQ's and Wiki Documentation found on www.mcdu.com
. I'm providing it as a quick reference for the many questions that are
being ask frequently, mainly on VATSIM. I conveniently placed it here so
that as the most frequently questions change, I can just as quickly add or
modify this page.

As you can see, this document is starting out very small. I'll check it
most of the time when answering questions in the forums. If the question
has been asked and answered many times, I'll put the question and answer here.

The PTT option is found in the FSFDT Control Panel. It
can be found in the Start Menu under the FSFDT group, labeled Control Panel.
It's the icon in the tasktray that looks like a traffic light. You can
right click on it to bring it up. The option is under Voice -> VATSIM ->
Key mappings. You can set the Key or Joystick button to click from this
panel.

Check the volume levels in the FSFDT Control Panel (FSFDT
Control Panel -> Voice -> VATSIM -> Volumes). Make sure the controls are
sufficiently to the right. Some drivers will mute the mic or input device
when a program first access it. You can check this by going into the
Windows Sound option (found by right clicking the speaker icon in the tasktray).

Look for the microphone or input device and ensure that the
volume levels there are sufficient raised and that it's not marked as muted.
Also ensure that you have the same device set in the FSFDT Control Panel as the
one you verify in Windows as available and working.

I would recommend installing Teamspeak, which is easily
configurable for testing the sound. It has what's called a "Local Test
Mode". Use that to check the working device, then configure
FSCopilot to use the same device.

For the IP and Subnet mask use 172.20.1.1 and 255.255.0.0. Leave the
Default Gateway blank.

After installing the loopback adapter, find the Network Connections
icons VIA Windows Control Panel. Right Click on the loopback adapter's
icon for the properties menu. Go into TCP/IPv4 and set the IP and Subnet mask.

Verify that ports 6809 TCP, 3782 TCP+UDP and 3290 UDP are not blocked. Fowarding may be required for some router configurations.

Many Connection issues are the result of third party firewall/antivirus programs blocks. Look at the FAQ question #13 for details for this resolution and perform the steps.

Some third party firewall/antivirus programs can only be disabled by
uninstalling them, even though they have an option that says disable.
So the uninstall might be the only way to check if this is the culprit
(which almost always is).

Uninstall your third party firewall/antivirus program.
If uninsalling your third party firewall/antivirus program cures this
issue, then work with the support people of your third party
firewall/antivirus program on how to fix the issue (or change the third
party firewall/antivirus program for one that works).

Windows builtin firewall should suffice during the instance of this check.